The development of an immunoassay for the detection of artemisinin compounds in urine

We have produced monoclonal antibodies against artelinic acid and investiga ted the reactivity with artemisinin drugs and metabolites. Antibody F170-10 is fairly specific for artelinic acid but does bind artemisinin and arteme ther (3-5% cross-reactivity). Dihydroartemisinin, artesunate, and metabolit es of artemisinin showed less reactivity. With this antibody, an inhibition ELISA has been set up to detect artemisinin compounds in urine. In healthy subjects who received a single oral dose of artemisinin, artemether, artes unate or dihydroartemisinin, ELISA reactivity in urine was found. This reac tivity in urine paralleled the plasma concentrations of artemether and dihy droartemisinin. The results show that this immunoassay for artelinic acid c an be used to detect artemisinin compounds in urine for about 8 hr after in take. With a more sensitive test, this simple method as a urine dipstick ma y be become useful for drug use and compliance studies in malaria-endemic a reas where the artemisinin derivatives are increasingly used.